ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A showdown between Josh Allen and Josh Allen had become routine in past years.
The Bills quarterback and Jaguars linebacker will once again line up against each other, but they don't use the exact same first name or last name anymore.
Back in July, the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker for Jacksonville changed his name from Josh Allen to Joshua Hines-Allen. The reason, he said, was a nod to his family's history.
According to the Jaguars website, it's a "tribute to Joshua's maternal side of the family and the other relatives who have worn 'Hines' and 'Hines-Allen' on their jerseys, prior to the start of the 2024 season."
Hines-Allen led the Jaguars with 17.5 sacks last season, and in the offseason signed a five-year, $150 million contract to stay in Jacksonville.
Hines-Allen's sister, Myisha Hines-Allen, plays in the WNBA for the Washington Mystics, according to the Jaguars' website. His two other sisters and two uncles also played college basketball.